IMHO, Your reply was just as I thought it would be... Not much substance about why ICQ is better... Just like Fords and Chevys... it's what you get used to that you tend to use. FACT: The fact of the matter is that ICQ and AOL Messenger ARE the most popular relay chat vehicles for the masses. Power users like MS Netmeeting. Netmeeting has video, audio, chat, messages and whiteboard capabilities. I personally see more Chevys (ICQ) users than any others. I can send anyone ICQ who wants it and you can keep it up and on-line even while reading your email as I am doing right now. IT IS VERY INTUITIVE AND EASY TO USE !! Go to : www.ICQ.com www.mrabilis.com Download your own free copy!! Trust me, you'll love it!! I have even helped cousins download and install GEDCOMs and software using ICQ on-line... Cool Johnny Mack Souder souderj@bellsouth.net ICQ #17300362 _________________ Souder/ Bennett/ Wainscott/ Wright/ Richardson Clifton/ Scudder/ Lancaster (Owen & Madison Co., Kentucky) _________________ McKinney/ Bailey/ Cassity/ Williams/ Wilson/ Owen/ Archer Hasty/ Carter/ Chastain/ Gill/ Murdock/ Richards/ Grant/ Ammon (Rowan, Bath, Morgan, Lincoln, Clark Co.'s., KY.<VA, <NC.) _________________ Proud user of the flawless "Family Origins 6.0", Genealogy software... -----Original Message----- From: mmadmin@connect.ab.ca <mmadmin@connect.ab.ca> To: WRIGHT-L@rootsweb.com <WRIGHT-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Monday, October 19, 1998 1:15 AM Subject: clarification of irc >Hi guys, > >I really dont want to clarify to much, I just want to create a forum for >discussion, that can take place in the moment. One form of that is IRC, the >other (which was brought to my attention) is mplayer which allows you to >have a vocal discussion, the only thing is you must have a mic as well as >speakers, and could also be used very intensely. I would like to try IRC >first simply because of the ease of use, and unfortunately it still >requires typing. > >As far as IRC is concerned, > > > Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is one of the >most popular and most interactive services on the Internet. Sure, the Web >is nice for finding info and E-mail beats snailmail hands > down, but when you've been wondering 'where the others >are?', then IRC is what you're looking for. > > IRC is the net's equivalent of CB radio. But unlike >CB, Internet Relay Chat lets people all over the world participate in >real-time conversations. IRC is where the Net > comes alive! > > Using an IRC client (program) you can exchange text >messages interactively with other people all over the world. Some of the >more popular chat clients are mIRC, Pirch, > and Virc for Windows and Homer or Ircle for Mac's. >What program you use doesn't really matter; all of them connect to the same >chat networks. When logged into a chat > session, you "converse" by typing messages that are >instantly sent to other chat participants. > > Meeting people. IRC is great fun and you'll sure meet >lots of interesting people and find nice spots to hang out! But, IRC is not >something that you should just jump into > without first reading up on it. You could feel very >lost if you do not know some basic commands before you enter IRC, and you >might not even know how to get out of IRC > after that :o) So, we suggest you read some >documentation (help files, readmes, FAQs etc) before you get connected to >an IRC server, or it can be very frustrating for you > when you get stuck. No worries, all info you need is >available on mIRC's web pages and... mIRC makes things really simple! > > How to use IRC. > > As in life -and CB radio- not all those chatters have >something interesting to say, but some do, and many people have developed >lasting friendships through IRC. Even > marriages have resulted from relationships first >forged on IRC. In fact, some people have become so addicted to chatting on >the Internet that there's a Usenet newsgroup > entitled alt.irc.recovery. > > The value of IRC depends on how you use it. IRC can >keep you company when you can't sleep, contribute to family togetherness >and cut your phone bill. It also can expose > you to unpleasant behavior. Chats can get wild and >woolly, and anyone (male or female) who takes on a female persona is likely >to be hit on. There is indeed a great deal of > sextalk, sleaze and garbage on IRC, and one should >exercise caution in allowing children to access the IRC without >supervision. But, as an adult, you are free to visit only the > channels you choose, and there is also a great deal of >positive communication going on. > > IRC gained international fame during the Gulf War in >1991, where updates from around the world came accross the wire, and most >irc users who were online at the time > gathered on a single channel to hear these reports. >IRC had similar uses during the coup against Boris Yeltsin in September >1993, where IRC users from Moscow were > giving live reports about the unstable situation there. > > As you see, Internet Relay Chat is a great way to talk >to people from all over the world about anything at all. On top of the >latest world news there are many help related and > tech support channels where you can get immediate >assistance with perplexing computer related problems on the spot and in >easy to read typewritten form! > > > >ICQ is great, it is exceptionally good for tracking people down, as well as >enhancing relationships that already exist (granted some acquaintances can >be made through ICQ) I find that IRC is easy to use, easy to understand, >and easy to have groups of people chatting at once, without too much thought. > >THIS, I PROMISE, IS MY LAST MESSAGE REGARDING THIS, MY WEBPAGE WILL BE >UPDATED AND THE SCHEDULE WILL BE PLACED ON MY WEBPAGE. > >Thanks guys, look forward to meeting everybody real soon, and please if you >are having any problems please contact me. > >Check out the Wrights that i know about.... > >http://www.connect.ab.ca/~minman/myfamily.html > >Jaye Carnahan > >Once a Wright, and now I'm always wrong.... > > >